Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just wondering how much some alternatives to paper towel and newspaper cost? I only have one snake right now so I was thinking about making his enclosure a little more appealing. Since it takes me a while to get to the pet store I figured I'd just ask you guys. How much do some of the other substrates cost on an average monthly basis with cleaning and replacing?

Aspen is cheap.
A huge bag of it is under $10 and lasts me several months with multiple snakes.
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3.6 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata
1.1 Felis catus (neutered)
1.0 Homo erectus (me)

Where do you get your aspen so cheap? Do you order it online, or do you get it locally? Ive been getting mine at the pet store...and its not so cheap that way.
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3.3 Variable Kings
1.4 Kunasir Island Rats
1.2 Everglades Rats
0.1 White Oak Gray Rat
0.1 Baird's Rat
0.1 Tarahumara Mtn King
0.1 Amelanistic Corn

Local pet store.

Kaytee brand - $10 for a bag that is 20L expands to 52L

They only stock the smaller size but they get me the bigger size when I need it.
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3.6 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata
1.1 Felis catus (neutered)
1.0 Homo erectus (me)

will appreciate aspen. Mole Kings and Prairie Kings spend a lot of time underground in the wild, so it will like to be able to burrow in the aspen. Aspen will also stay pretty dry, which is good for the mole/prairies, which tend to come from drier habitat than, say eastern kings.

Just do not feed him on the aspen.

Good luck!
Michael

I feed mine on aspen and they do not have a problem.
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3.6 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata
1.1 Felis catus (neutered)
1.0 Homo erectus (me)

I've been using Eco-Earth going on 2 years now. Never had a problem. It dosen't seem to promote mold growth and it's easy to see the "messes" for spot cleaning (I use a kitty litter scoop), plus if it gets wet, I just shift it around over to the the heat side and it dries out. I think I paid around 11-12 bucks for a 3 brick package at the Earl May Garden store. One brick goes a long way.

I was talking to a respected breeder last week and he told me that he uses aspen but, there's different grades of aspen (if you decide to go with that) maybe he'll pipe in with his thoughts on that subject.
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Richard Evans

no not THAT one

I've raised kings (including 2 prairie kings) using that stuff. Aside from the messiness of it, the snakes loved it and did wonderful on it. The prairies hardly came out from under it except at dusk or evening. Their skin tone was excellent, they stayed hydrated (I dampened it some when it got dry) and thrived.

Another idea is to use aspen and have a humidity box using the coconut product.
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Mark

Try a livestock or feed store rather then a pet store. When I was still using pine shavings I used to get them for $12 for a 30lb sack. Now I am paying $15 for 30lbs of aspen. It's shaved aspen rather then the typical shreded reptile style, but works fine. It comes in a simple brown paper wrap.

Thanks. I'll look into that.
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3.3 Variable Kings
1.4 Kunasir Island Rats
1.2 Everglades Rats
0.1 White Oak Gray Rat
0.1 Baird's Rat
0.1 Tarahumara Mtn King
0.1 Amelanistic Corn